Readers React: Yes, there are atheists in foxholes

To the editor: When swearing to protect us and our Constitution, which literally ensures religious freedom to all Americans, why should Air Force and other military enlistees and officers have to opt out of saying the phrase “so help me God”? (“Air Force drops requirement to use ‘So help me God’ in oaths,” Sept. 18)

It seems obvious to me that those who wish to add this religious phrase to their oath should be free to opt in, but it certainly shouldn’t be the default.

You don’t have to be Christian to serve our country; the U.S. does not have a default religion.

Diane K. Mitchell, Hemet

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To the editor: Sure, constitutional considerations compelled the Air Force to allow enlistees to omit “so help me God” when saying their oath. But so did logical consistency.

It’s ultimately incongruous to mandate that members of our military profess belief in a given supreme being. How might that requirement be reconciled with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ tombstones bearing belief-specific symbols reflecting the individual religious preference of every deceased military member, including humanists, Wiccans, Buddhists and atheists?

How illogical — and mean-spirited — to impose monotheism on military members who faithfully serve their country. Are they to be accorded freedom of religion only in death?

Aaron Mills, Solana Beach

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